Endometrial biopsy

Hi Sue

Hello again.

I think the doctor is being ultra careful in checking things out. 

Your endometrial lining is slightly thickened and it is important to rule out cancer being a potential cause. There are some types of hyperplasia (thickening) that do not need treatment and some that do. 

It is good that you have no symptoms and only a trace of blood in your urine.

For me my symptom was a heavy bleed.

A biopsy would be the normal next step and hopefully give you some peace of mind. 

I know it is scary when waiting for tests and if talking to someone would help, then please do give the Support Line a call.

Jane

Awwwww.... thanks, Jane, for responding. I appreciate it. So you had a heavy bleed. I had no symptoms but had abdominal pain last summer, so I was sent for an ultrasound where they found the mild thickening. I was to be rechecked in Jan, but landed in the ER with abdominal pain again, and they found the thickness was 6. They tested my urine to rule out a UTI and found a trace of blood. My doctor said that the thickness could just be the way my body is, but he wants to be safe. The last time I had a pap smear, it was super painful - he wasn't the doctor who did it, but he wants to do the pap smear and biopsy at the same time. He said it can be painful so he wants me to take vagifem tablets for a few weeks before and advil before I come in. It scared me but I managed to survive the pap smear the last time. Actually the doctor who did it used a bigger 'tool' and when she switched to a smaller one, it was much better. And at least the procedure is fast. Thanks for listening. :)

I was advised to take paracetamol before the biopsy and I do think it helped. The person doing my procedure phoned me the day before and talked through exactly what was going to happen and that also helped. 

And remember if you find it is too painful you can at any point ask them to stop. Some ladies on here have had the procedure under general anaesthetic. 

it still sounds to me like the doctor is being really thorough and wants to rule out cancer. 

Good Luck

Thanks, Jane. Are you okay now? You've been through a lot. I was looking at the articles you wrote - about pets. I have a dog I just adore. I see you love cats - I love cats too. My doctor told me all about the procedure - I'm due for a pap smear - so he's doing both at the same time. I've had pap smears all along and it was minimal pain - really nothing - until a new doctor did it and wow - it hurt until she used a smaller instrument. So probably if she had used the smaller one all along, it would have been minimal. So at least my doctor is preparing me with the vagifem thing for a few weeks and making sure I take advil. But I like your advice - if it's too painful, I'll speak up. I'm hoping that I'll be okay because it's fast and I just want to get it over with. I think at '6' he would have waited but they found that trace of blood in my urine and he wants to be sure. I've been going to the same doctor for over 30 years and she passed her practice to a male doctor who specializes in women's issues. He's fantastic - gentle and calm and reassuring. He's also very proactive. So you're cancer free now? Thanks for your kind reassuring words. I appreciate it. 

it sounds like you have an excellent doctor.

Yes am cancer free. Doing ok, some lingering effects from the treatment. 

Oh, Jane, that's awesome that you are cancer free. So sorry about the lingering effects. I sure hope that improves in time. Is there another reason the endometrium can be thick without it being cancer? Mine is mild at the moment - that's what the result states - and I have no visual signs of any blood except a trace they found in my urine. In six months it went from a 7 to a 6, so it's not going up. My doctor said it can just be the way my body is. I'm just glad to know about it. 

Yes, a thickened lining is not always cancer. Hyperplasia is caused by an imbalance of hormones- high oestrogen and low progesterone.

There's some info here.

Endometrial Hyperplasia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Endometrial_hyperplasia_GHPI1709_03_22.pdf

Thanks, Jane. It's wonderful that you are here helping all of us. Sharing all that you went through is a blessing for us. I'm sorry you went through everything you did but I'm so glad you're cancer free now. We never know what journeys we face. I am grateful that I was sent for that ultrasound based on abdominal pain where they found the thickening. I was surprised about the biopsy - I thought he might retest me again but I am also grateful that my doctor is doing it to be safe. Hey - have you ever had to inject Vagifem 10 tablets? He wants me to take them until I have the biopsy hoping it will help, but wow - I've only taken them 2 days and it hurts using that applicator. I'm such a wimp. I'm going to get some gel or something to coat it with. Thanks for all your help. 

Hi,

Not used Vagifem. 

Perhaps ask if there is a gel/cream form of the medicine that you could use instead?

The nurses on the Support Line may be able to help.

Jane

Hi SamanthaJoy.

i found the best way to use vagifem was to smother with a water based lubricant before inserting…

Linda xx